The Aussies are gearing up for the forthcoming 2020 Australian national final- Eurovision Australia Decides, in their quest to select the 2020 Australian Eurovision act and entry for Rotterdam.
2020 will see the Gold Coast hosting the Aussie ESC national final for the second consecutive time, having hosted the very first edition last February.
Australian national broadcaster opened the 2020 Eurovision Song Submission window last month.
From pop to hip hop, opera to electro and everything in between, SBS is calling on a diversity of songs and songwriters to submit an original composition as part of the national selection process via sbs.com.au/eurovision.
Song submissions for Eurovision – Australia Decides will close on Monday 30 September.
There are no limits on the number of songs composers and songwriters, both published and unpublished, are able to submit.
Songs will be shortlisted and announced, as will the ten Australian artists set to compete for their shot to represent Australia on the world’s biggest stage. Then, it’s up to the Australian public and a Jury to decide who will take the stage at the 65th Eurovision Song Contest.
Mr. Josh Martin (SBS Commissioning Editor of Entertainment) says:
We have some exciting and surprising artists waiting in the wings, ready for the right song and this is the last chance for songwriters to submit an original composition. Australia is home to so many talented artists and songwriters, and SBS is proud to be able to provide this new international platform for the country’s incredibly creative and diverse music community.
Mr. Paul Clarke (Creative Director of Eurovision – Australia Decides) says:
One of the thrills for the year is hearing new songs come in to the SBS song portal. We are beginning to plan our show around them.
One note to songwriters in this final week: this year feels like we have a lot of strong ballads – we are really looking for up-tempo songs to balance, so please, hit us with your dance bangers!
In association with the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland, the City of Gold Coast, Screen Queensland and APRA AMCOS, Eurovision – Australia Decides will be presented at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 February and early bird tickets for the Opening Night Show, Matinee Show and Live TV Final are now on sale.
Hosted by SBS Eurovisionaries comedian Joel Creasey and music buff Myf Warhurst Eurovision – Australia Decides will showcase the best of Australian music and bring the nation closer to the Eurovision action.
Australia in Eurovision
Australia was invited to compete at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, as a one off participation but the country embraced the competition with such enthusiasm that they have been invited to return every year since.
The Aussies achieved their best result in the contest in 2016 when Dami Im nearly walked away with the Grand Prix with her entry Sound of silence, placing 2nd in Stockholm.
Our neighbours down under have enjoyed much success in the competition having achieved four top 10 placings in their five year Eurovision history.
In 2019 the Aussies introduced a full fledged national final Eurovision: Australia Decides on the Gold Coast in order to select their Eurovision hopeful and song for Tel Aviv. Kate Miller-Heidke was crowned the winner of the very first Australian national final with her entry Zero Gravity. Kate flew the Aussie flag at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, achieving an honorable 9th place in the Grand Final.
The 2020 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held on 12 , 14 and 16 May at the Rotterdam
